Automobile brake-testing device



Emma 1:5 lama; 153mm E. F. M GRATE-fi AUTOMOBILE BRAKE TESTING DEVICE Filed July 27, 1925 wacntor (Tum Patented June 15, 1926.

UNITED STATES EDWARD F. MOGRATH, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMOBILE fBRAKE rEsrINq DEVICE.

Application filed July 27, 1925. Serial No. 48,310.

This invention relates to a novel and simple device for testing the brakes of a motor vehicle.

. One of the important objects of the pres- 5 ent invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character which may be readily and easily installed on a motor vehicle, the same being automatic in its operation for. indicating the efliciency of the 1 brakes of the motor vehicle, the indicating means being preferably arranged on the instrument board so as to be readily visible to the operator.

Another important object is to provide 15 an automobile brake testing device of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, and further well adapted to the purposes for which itis designed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description taken .in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 22 of Figure 1, and

, Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

'In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a substantially rectangular shaped casing, the forward end of which is open and associated therewith is a vertically arranged substantially rectangular shaped casing 2, the frontface of which is open.

A flanged ring 3 extends over the front face of the cylindrical casing 2 and provides a means for retaining the transparency 4:. A

circular plate 5 is arranged in the intermediate portion of the circular casing 2 and the upper portion of the plate has formed therein the enlarged arcuate cutout portion or slot 6.

Supported on the rear face of the circular plate 5 directly in the rear of the arcuate opening 6 and spaced therefrom is a strip 7 on the front face of which is arranged the graduations 8, the same being visible 5 through the opening 6 and transparency i.

The rear face of the circular plate 5 rests against the shoulder 9 provided therefor in the circular casing 2 and a retaining ring 10 is disposed between the front face of the circular plate 5 and-the rear of the trans-' parency 1. This construction is more clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the draW--' ing.

A meral 11 is arranged withinthe casing 1 and said frame includes the top and bottom sections 12 and 13 respectively. These sections are supported in spaced relation with respect' to. each other thrpuglr the medium of the fastening bolts 14. A vertical shaft 15 is journaled at its respective ends in the upper and lower sections 12 and 13 of the frame 11 adjacent the rear end thereof, similar shafts 16 and 1.7 being also supported' in the frame 11 and arranged forwardly of the shaft 15, the shaft 17 Which'isthe foremost of the vertically'arranged sha-fts being disposed. adjacent the forward end of the frame and the'casing 1 in which the frame is supported.

Intermeshing gear wheels 18 and 19 are supported on the shafts 15 and 16' respectively adjacent the lower ends thereof and the same provide means for operatively connecting the shaft 15 with the shaft 16. A gear 20 is carried by the intermediate portion of the shaft 17 and the latter is operatlvely connected to the aforementioned vertically arranged shaft 16 through the me- .dium of the pinion 21 which meshes with the gear 20.

A collar 22 is carried by the intermediate portion of a shaft 15 and extending laterally from the collar is the arm 23. A weight 24 is carried by the outer end of this arm as clearly illustrated in the drawing. Also associated with the shaft 15 adjacent its upper end is the coil spring 25', one end thereof being secured to the frame 11 while the other end is secured to the shaft.

Depending from the forward end of the top section 12 of the frame 11 is the extension 26 and the same supports the horizontally disposed stub shaft 27. A pointer 28 is carried by the outer end of the stub shaft 2'? and a free end of the pointer is adapted .to swing between the strip 7 and the rear face of the circular plate 5 so that the free end of the pointer is visible through the cutout portion 6 to enable the operator to frame designated generally by'the nu-- readily see the position of the pointer with respect to the graduation. A gear 29 1s car:

ried by the stub shaft 27 and meshes with the gear 20 so as to be driventhereby.

The device is set in a suitable openin provided therefor in the instrument board of an automobile so that only the front face of the circular casing is visible thus presenting an effective appearance. Normally the pointer is disposed at one end of the cutout portion 6 and Whenever it is desired to test the brakes, it will not be necessary to employ a separate instrument such as is now ordinarily used to determine the efficiency of the brakes of a motor vehicle. Whenever the brakes of an automobile upon which a device of the character embodying my invention is applied, the weighted shaft will rotate in a direction of the arrow and simultaneously causing the rotation of the shaftlti and 17 in the manner as indicated. The gear 20 will rotate the gear 29 and simultaneously effecting the rotation of the stub shaft 27 on which is carried the point-er 28 and 'as the stub shaft is located, the pointer will move across the face of the strip 7 so as to give the proper indication as to the braking qualities of the brakes of the motor vehicle. Simultaneously with the release ef the brakes,tthe coil spring will return the shafts and the pointer to their normal positions and thereby place the device in position for further operation when the brakes are again applied.

A device of the above mentioned character wearer will at all times be positive andeflicient in its operatlon as well as automatic and will enable the operator of the motor vehicle to at all times ascertain the exact conditions of the brakes on the automobile.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

\Vhat I claim is A device of the class described comprising a casing, a frame including spaced top and bottom sections arranged in the casing, a series of vertically arranged rotatable shafts journaled at their respective ends in the top and bottom sections of the frame, intermeshing gears associated with the shafts, a depending extension formed on the forward end of the top section of the frame, a horizontal stub shaft carried by said extension, a gear carried by the stub shaft and meshing with the gear on the forwardmost vertical shaft, a pointer carried by the stub shaft, a weight associated with the rearwardmost vertical shaft, and a coil sprin secured at one'end to said last mentioneo shaft and at its other end to the frame for returning the shaft and the pointer to their normal positions.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature.

" EDWARD F. MoGRATH. 

